Selectable-mode door assembly and related method

• US 8,646,208 B2
• Filed: 02/22/2008
• Issued: 02/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Taracko, Matt
• Primary Examiner(s): REDMAN, JERRY E
• Application Number:
  US12/035,729
• Publication Number:
  US 20090212590A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,181 Days
• Field of Search: 49/25, 491/52, 491/53, 491/54, 491/55, 491/56, 491/58, 493/60, 495/02, 296/146.11, 296/146.12
• US Class Current: 49/155
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 5/047 characterised by the opening or closing movement
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 5/06 slidable; foldable

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to selectable-mode vehicle door assemblies. Some embodiments include door assemblies that are capable of operating in a sliding mode, and in a swinging mode according to user selection. Some embodiments can include one or more doorframes that can be selectably engaged in a swing mode or a slide mode. Other embodiments generally relate to methods associated with selectable-mode door assemblies.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising:

a vehicle frame; and

,

a selectable-mode door assembly comprising;

an outer doorframe that is fixedly attached to the vehicle frame;

a single, unitary and substantially U-shaped inner doorframe attached in sliding relation to the outer doorframe;

a door that is pivotally connected to a hinge pin on the u-shaped inner doorframe;

wherein the selectable-mode door assembly is adjustable into;

(1) a sliding mode where the inner doorframe and the door are slideable as a unit with respect to the outer doorframe and (2) a swing mode where the door is pivotal with respect to the inner doorframe.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein:

the inner doorframe includes a midsection and upper and lower rails that respectively extend from opposite ends of the midsection.

3. The vehicle of claim 2 further comprising:

at least one hinge pin projecting from one of the upper and lower rails toward the other of the upper and lower rails.

4. The vehicle of claim 2 further comprising:

first and second hinge pins, each projecting from one of the upper and lower rails toward the other of the upper and lower rails.